BARRE — A Cabot teenager a month away from his 18th birthday has admitted repeatedly raping a young boy and a dog.

Jay D. Deasy, 17, pleaded guilty to felonious aggravated repeated sexual assault in Washington County criminal court in Barre on Tuesday. He faces a maximum of life in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Because of Deasy’s age, he is attempting to achieve youthful offender status with his plea, which would spare him from spending the rest of his life in prison. The Department for Children and Families will conduct an investigation, and a judge will decide whether Deasy qualifies as a youthful offender at a later date still to be determined. If he is denied youthful offender status, Deasy has the option to withdraw his plea.

According to the Vermont State Police affidavit, a 9-year-old boy said Deasy had been raping him repeatedly over the past two years. The boy said the incidents occurred 10 to 15 times, most recently earlier this month.

When state police interviewed Deasy about the allegation, he admitted raping the boy without using a condom as well as repeatedly raping a female dog, according to the affidavit. During the plea process, Deasy confirmed to the judge that everything in the affidavit is correct.

State police received Deasy’s camera, which is said to contain images of Deasy raping the dog.

He is being held for lack of $80,000 bail. In a news release about the incident, state police asked parents with children who may have had contact with Deasy and who have concerns about sexual abuse to contact local law enforcement.